The Editor:
I am very concerned about the comments made by new Whatcom County councilmember, Ben Elenbaas, at a recent council meeting where he likened RE Sources, a local environmental nonprofit organization, to “domestic terrorists” that was reported in the latest issue of The Northern Light.
I am very disappointed in Elenbaas’ inappropriate choice of words for many reasons. By using these toxic words, he put RE Sources’ 60 staff, board members, trainees, AmeriCorps members, interns and their families at risk. RE Sources is a valuable local group that has been contracted to provide important educational outreach services to our local school districts and youth organizations since 2011.
Elenbaas is the council representative for my area and represents my family. During the campaign leading up to the recent county council election, my wife and I heard him speak at a local town hall meeting in Birch Bay. Elenbaas seemed to be sincere about working for the best interests of our county. Whatcom County has many difficult challenges ahead trying to balance our short- and long-term economic, energy and environmental needs.
Calling RE Sources “domestic terrorists” in no way helps us solve these difficult challenges. We already have enough toxic rhetoric going on nationally and in Washington, D.C., and we absolutely do not need to add to this counterproductive communication method that only serves to further divide our country. We are better than this. I urge councilmember Elenbaas to follow the advice of Shannon Wright, executive director of RE Sources, and work together to find common ground for the betterment of our community.
Brady Green
Blaine
The Editor:
Amazing lack of self-awareness by the editors as they printed a letter comparing the President to Mussolini and warning of a coming dark age in the same issue that they wrote a multi-page article decrying county councilmember Elenbaas’ intemperate language regarding political opponents. For the record, I don’t agree with Elenbaas’ language. I also don’t support the political activity that RE Sources does. I guess I have to say that before I can push back against the characterization of the Trump presidency as a descent into fascism.
Let’s review the record. Reduction in the power of the executive branch through the repeal of regulations; reduction in interference in the lives of ordinary Americans through the repeal of regulations; improvement in the lives of ordinary Americans through reductions in illegal immigrants flooding our country; reduced unemployment; increased wages; increased opportunity; the appointment of many judges who actually believe in constitutional protections and rights.
What is the flip side of our system? Well, the letter’s author states “destruction of the native races” which, although true, was also the norm for most of human history. The fact that we can look back and regret it means that we have advanced beyond most of history. “Women of all races as second-class citizens?” It is the third world which still does this. Women of all races have never had it better under western European civilization regardless of completely debunked “underpaid” and “glass ceiling” claims. “Enslaved millions?” How about the fact that western European civilization was the first in history to outlaw slavery and fight wars to enforce that edict? Slavery was the norm throughout history and still is in many parts of the world where Western influence is negligible.
I come down on the side of the Founders, imperfections and all, and working to improve.
Calvin Armerding
Blaine
The Editor:
More than 500 people were murdered in Chicago in 2019, a tragedy that the news media blames on poverty, guns and racism. The truth that isn’t being told is that 50 years of progressive policies in the inner cities have driven business out of town, destroyed the dignity of work by incentivizing generational government dependency and encouraged crime by letting criminals go free because of the color of their skin.
The fact is that Chicago’s inner cities are populated by a majority of law-abiding citizens who are being held hostage not by racism, poverty or handguns but by Democrat city councils, mayors and representatives who have trapped the people they claim to support in a self-perpetuating cycle of failure sustained by low expectations, deliberate agitation and the lies of racism and victimhood. The result is a sense of resentment, futility and anger that leads to fatherlessness and broken families. These problems have no racial boundaries. They occur wherever people have lost the old Bible-based values of faith, family, personal responsibility and self-control. They are problems that require individual and community initiative, combined with government assistance.
Meanwhile the tragedy continues to unfold. At 2:55 p.m. on February 22 while many in Blaine were taking a walk on a rare sunny Saturday afternoon, Latonia Williams on the south side of Chicago was shot in the head while sitting in her car. Her death could have been prevented with greater police presence, strict enforcement and conviction and jailing of criminals. Doing that would save lives immediately. But it would only be a start.
It is also essential to reach inner-city youth. There are many programs now available covering every aspect of youth development. Those that are most effective have several things in common. 1. They are values-based and often religious-affiliated. 2. They maintain high expectations. 3. They are based on mentorship through personal relationships. 4. They are practical, providing skills and training that are immediately useful and marketable and that involve local business, church and community cooperation. For more information, search for “Faith-Based Outreach to At-Risk Youth in Washington, D.C.” at the Manhattan Institute.
Dan Rudolph
Blaine
The Editor:
The year 2020 is the 100th anniversary of the League of Women Voters and the passage of the Nineteenth Amendment. To some, these events represent allowing women “the privilege” to vote. To others, they represent the winning of governmental participation and improvement in the strength of our nation. Our country has benefitted by the oversight of women in cleaner food processing, child labor laws, controlling fraud, waste and abuse with legislation, protection of occupational health and safety and other areas where mothers, wives and women with consequential insight have contributed.
Historically, women suffered the authoritarianism of abuse in their homes and recognize abuse of power when they see it. We cannot accept this abuse in our government. Egotistical power is not about biblical expectations; it controls by fear, paralyzes progress and makes our country vulnerable to economic, environmental, social and medical consequences. It is not fear of change and loss of dominance that should make our population distrust each other; it is the authoritarian lust for power and total control from the White House: pardon convicted criminals for corruption and murder, threaten legislators with retribution for conscience, take revenge on “enemies,” honor despots. Where will the authoritarianism stop? Vote.
Donna Starr
Blaine
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